By Mike Smith
El Rito Media

Former Carlsbad City Administrator Steve McCutcheon Sr. was named Eddy County’s interim manager effective Tuesday, said James “Bo” Bowen, chairperson of the Eddy County Board of County Commissioners.

McCutcheon steps in on a temporary basis for Roberta Gonzales who went back to the Eddy County finance director position.

She announced her resignation last month after serving as county manager for a year-and-a-half.

Bowen said Gonzales’ going back to finance director was admirable as the county was not able to fill that position on a permanent basis.

He said commissioners went with McCutcheon based on his past government administrative experience and family roots in Eddy County.

“There wasn’t an application process for the interim (county manager). There will be a formal application process for the acting county manager, that’s why this is special circumstances. It gives us somebody who is here to help oversee the day-to-day operations in this interim period,” he said.

Bowen said McCutcheon’s salary is $10 a month and there will be no benefits. McCutcheon would also have a hand in the hiring process for a new manager.

Bowen said the application process for a new county manager started Tuesday and commissioners were going to look to Carlsbad and Eddy County first.

“See what that turns out and then broaden our search (and) make sure we ultimately find the best candidate,” he said.

McCutcheon expressed a desire to serve during the interim period and he planned to meet with Gonzales, county department managers and elected Eddy County officials.

“Have a conversation with them (on) the current initiatives and move forward,” he said.

McCutcheon described his background as diverse and extensive. He served as Carlsbad’s city administrator for six years.

“Primarily, I’ve been a rancher in Eddy County for right at 40 years. I’ve worked in banking at Western Commerce (Bank) where I was in the agriculture and commercial loan business and I spent 12 years in the potash industry,” he said.

McCutcheon said he also worked in economic development and tourism.

Carlsbad Mayor and retired City of Carlsbad Fire Department Chief Rick Lopez said he and McCutcheon had a good working relationship.

“I look forward to continuing to work together in our respective roles for the City of Carlsbad and Eddy County,” he said.

Roberta Gonzales says goodbye

During her final meeting Tuesday, Gonzales thanked commissioners for choosing her last year to replace the retired Alan Davis.

“I’m truly grateful from the bottom of my heart for each of you giving me this opportunity to lead this very passionate group of residents and employees and I’ve had a great and exciting time,” Gonzales said.

Gonzales said she was looking forward for continued service toward Eddy County residents as finance director, a position she held for nine years before being named as county manager in 2023.

Commission says no to battery storage bonds

Commissioners said no to a proposal by a Colorado renewable energy company asking for industrial revenue bonds (IRBs) to help build a proposed energy storage facility north of Carlsbad.

The facility would have been on 30 acres of land between the George Shoup Relief Route and Elizondo Road.

A memorandum written to commissioners by Gonzales and Eddy County Attorney Cas Tabor noted Peregrine Energy would have been given tax breaks to encourage economic development.

Had the IRBs passed, Peregrine would have agreed to annual payment in lieu of taxes (PILT).

“There is no ongoing benefits to the county. I’m not in favor of it at all,” said District 1 Commissioner Ernie Carlson of the $230 million IRBs.

Bowen said turning down Peregrine for the IRBs does not make Eddy County anti-business.

“I think we’re very happy to welcome in businesses and support businesses that want to come in,” he said.

“Peregrine was a different deal because they weren’t looking to bring an influx of employees in that would benefit the county in the way that we’re looking for growing long term,” Bowen said.

In the State of New Mexico, IRBs are issued by government entities to help finance industrial projects in order to generate tax revenue, according to a New Mexico Legislature document.

Mike Smith may be reached via phone at 575-308-8734 or by email at msmith@currentargus.com.